Child Life Program
Specially trained child-life experts help normalize the hospital environment for children and teens by through:

• Diversional and developmental play opportunities. Planned activities, ranging from arts and crafts to toys and games, are conducted throughout the day in the Child Life Center and at the bedside for children who cannot leave their rooms.
• Normalizing the hospital environment. We try to make the hospital as much like home as possible by having familiar toys, games, and activities readily available.  We celebrate holidays with a party, have special visiting guests including therapy pets, and other appropriate activities.
• Helping children express their feelings throughout their hospital stay. The Child Life Specialists can engage children in therapeutic play to help them cope with negative feelings often associated with medical events and hospitalization. Therapeutic play may include medical role-playing, expressive art or creative writing.
• Introducing patients and families to relaxation/distraction techniques before a procedure. After teaching such techniques to parents and practicing with the patient, we can accompany the patient during procedures if the parent is not present or if the child requests it.
• Helping to prepare patients for upcoming surgery and medical procedures. The Child Life Specialists can provide age-appropriate explanations along with hands-on “experience” with dolls using real and play medical equipment.

To contact the Child Life Program, please call 207-662-6267. View more information about the Child Life Program. 

Classroom
To ensure that hospitalized children keep up with their schoolwork while they are receiving care, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital has an on-site classroom, tutors and a hospital-based teacher. Educational assistance is provided through:

• Small-group schooling
• Bedside tutoring
• Laptop computers with free Internet access
• Monitoring of previously assigned academics

Parents’ Lounge
For parents whose child is hospitalized, we offer an array of thoughtful services, amenities and resources. A parents’ lounge, located off the central atrium, offers:

• Computer with Internet access
• Kitchenette
• Laundry area
• Handicapped-accessible bathroom and shower

In addition, we offer:

• A meditation/relaxation room 
• A resource library 
• A Ronald McDonald rest area that gives families a place for respite that’s not too far away from their child
• Coverage for hospitalized kids so parents can relax and enjoy an adult night out

MaineHealth Learning Resource Center
Learning what you need to know to be healthy isn't always easy. How do you find information and resources you can trust?

The MaineHealth Learning Resource Center is here to help. We help anyone who needs health information. Visit the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center's website for more information.

• Patients who want to learn about a disease, condition or treatment
• Community members who need healthy living tips and resources
• Healthcare providers looking for health education materials and resources

Our services

• Health education classes
• Free library of health books, brochures and videos
• Search our library online
• Personalized help from health educators to find out what you need to know
• Public computers to search the Internet for health information
• Outreach programs to improve the health of Maine communities

Social Work
Licensed social workers are available to help children and families cope with the psychosocial issues related to a child’s diagnosis. These specially trained professionals can provide one-on-one counseling, guidance on stress management techniques, support group information, problem-solving and connections to other parents and community-based services.

For more information, please call the Social Work Department at 207-662-2261.

Home and Hospice Care
The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital wants patients to remain in or return to the comfort of their own home whenever possible and appropriate. The home healthcare agencies of MaineHealth (Maine Medical Center’s parent organization) offer a full range of services to assist patients and their families, including skilled and supportive nursing services, rehabilitation and social work therapies, community education, parent and child health support, and hospice care.

For home health and hospice care in York and Cumberland counties and surrounding towns in Oxford, Androscoggin and Sagadehoc counties, please contact:
HomeHealth – Visiting Nurses of Southern Maine
15 Industrial Park Road
Saco, ME 04072
Phone: 207-775-5515 or, toll-free, 1-866-255-8744
Website: www.homehealth.org

Interpreter Services
For patients and their parents who do not speak English, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital offers free interpreter services. Medical interpreters are available 24/7 to help ensure that patients and families get all their questions answers and information is understood. Simply call, toll-free, 1-877-339-3107.

Pastoral/Spiritual Care
The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center recognizes the importance of spiritual care and support as part of the healing process. The Women and Children's Service Line has its own chaplain, the Reverend Alice A. Hildebrand, a Board Certified Interfaith chaplain, available 8 AM to 5 PM, five days a week or by appointment at other times. There are also professional Interfaith chaplains available through the Department of Spiritual Care at all times. Our goal is to enable each person to access his or her own faith tradition or philosophical support system in ways that promote healing and well-being. Chaplains may be called at any time, day or night, through the nursing service or through the central switchboard at 207-662-0111.
 
For more information, you may contact Chaplain Alice at 207-662-1265.

Support Groups
There are many support groups available for patients, families and caregivers dealing with specific issues, illnesses or types of injury affecting children. Some are sponsored by The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, Spring Harbor Hospital (a MaineHealth member), and/or outside organizations, and many are held at the Dana Education Center at MMC’s Bramhall Campus (22 Bramhall Street, Portland). For more information, call the Social Work Department at 207-662-2261 or view the list of support groups.